The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy more than 1.4 million ad hoc personnel, mostly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the NYSC in Abuja, where he led a delegation of national commissioners, directors and senior officials of the commission.
The delegation was received by the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, alongside members of the scheme’s management team at the Yakubu Gowon House.
Speaking during the visit, Amupitan described the meeting as more than a routine engagement, saying it was an opportunity to appreciate the NYSC for its longstanding contribution to Nigeria’s electoral process.
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He said corps members had remained central to the conduct of elections since 1999, serving in key roles such as presiding officers and registration area officers across the country.
INEC Boss Praises Corp Members for Their Role in Election
According to him, INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff during the 2023 general election, with over 70 per cent of the workforce, about 850,000 personnel, comprising corps members and student volunteers.
The INEC chairman said preparations for the 2027 elections were already underway, adding that the commission would require 707,384 corps members for the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, 2027.
He added that another 707,384 personnel would be deployed for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Amupitan further disclosed that additional personnel would be needed for off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
He commended corps members for what he described as their patriotism, discipline and neutrality during elections, particularly in the operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“In many states, corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers. They protected the sanctity of the ballot across 176,846 polling units nationwide,” he said.
The INEC chairman also acknowledged the risks associated with election duties and assured the NYSC leadership that the commission was working to strengthen insurance coverage, welfare packages and security arrangements for corps members deployed for electoral assignments.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.